NYC School Mask Mandate To End For Kids Under 5, Mayor Says

NEW YORK, NY — Coronavirus rates have dropped low enough for children under 5 years old to take their masks off at daycare, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

The mayor announced Thursday that masks will be optional for kids ages 2 through 4 starting June 13.

The city's youngest students were the last group still wearing masks in public schools and daycares after rising coronavirus rates spoiled a plan to lift the mandate back in March.

Adams said Thursday the latest data shows the city has "beaten back the latest COVID-19 surge."

“Throughout the current wave, schools have remained the safest places for our children and beginning Monday, June 13, we will make masks optional for 2-4 year old children in all early childhood settings," he said.

The announcement will likely be welcome news for some parents who had criticized the mayor for still mandating masks in daycare while older students were able to go mask-free.

Adams has said young children were still under a mask mandate given high hospitalization rates among children under 5 years old, who are not eligible to be vaccinated.

Masks are still "strongly recommended" for New Yorkers of all ages indoors, officials said.

"We will continue to make masks available for any child or school staff member who wishes to continue wearing them," Adams said.

The city was still in "high alert level" for coronavirus rates as of Thursday afternoon, though cases have shown signs of dropping in the last few weeks. Citywide, the seven-day average positivity rate stood at 7.6 percent as of Thursday, data shows.